Johnny Football can't beat Bama by himself

As good as he is, Johnny Football can't conquer the top-ranked Tide by himself

By Randy Harvey

Updated
8:55 pm CST, Tuesday, November 6, 2012

COLLEGE STATION - Texas A&M has one chance and one chance only to upset No. 1 Alabama on Saturday in Tuscaloosa, and that's if the Aggies' routinely amazing freshman quarterback is extraordinarily amazing.

That's the talk you hear. It's all up to Johnny Football.

Not so. If the Aggies win, it also will be because of Luke Football, Mike Football, Patrick Football, Uzoma Football, Ryan Football, Christine Football, Spencer Football, Damontre Football, Jonathan Football … I don't have space to name all the Aggies who have contributed in surprising the college football world with a 7-2 overall record, 4-2 Southeastern Conference mark and No. 15 BCS ranking.

Much credit goes to quarterback Johnny Manziel, second in the nation in total offense, an SEC player of the week in six of the season's 10 weeks, on the watch list for the Maxwell (player of the year) and Manning (quarterback) awards, and maybe even a Heisman Trophy candidate if the Aggies beat Alabama.

That's a big if, a 13½-point "if," according to oddsmakers.

Alabama is, well, Alabama.

Speaking of the Tide's offensive linemen alone, Aggies defensive tackle Spencer Nealy said Tuesday that coaches each week place stars by the names of opposing players expected to give the defensive linemen the most headaches.

"Every one of those were guys were starred,'' he said of the Tide's linemen.

But the fact that the possibility of such a monumental upset is even being discussed is evidence of how far coach Kevin Sumlin has brought the A&M program in less than year.

Asked the difference this season, Nealy said: "You can actually walk around and people like you.''

Sumlin, while effusive in his praise of Alabama, doesn't act like an upset is as far-fetched as some might think. He mentions that the Aggies' only losses came against No. 6 Florida by three points and No. 7 LSU by five points.

So how can the Aggies win?

"You want me to give you the game plan?'' Sumlin asked.

Since it was clear he wasn't going to do that, let Randy Sportswriter tell you.

Fast start a must

First, the Aggies must start fast. They have done that all season, scoring first in all nine games, with touchdowns on opening drives in six consecutive games. Alabama is good at that too, having outscored opponents 104-6 in the first quarter.

But if the Aggies can get the jump, they can start to take the crowd out of the game like they did in silencing those cowbells last Saturday in a 38-13 victory at Mississippi State. (Alabama beat Mississippi State the week before, 38-7, at home.)

They also can make Alabama's defense start wondering if it is ready, physically or psychologically, for the Air Raid offense. The Tide has faced one up-tempo offense this season, in a 33-14 victory over Mississippi, and coach Nick Saban made it clear afterward he didn't like it, suggesting it gave the offense too much of an advantage and made defensive players more prone to injury.

"Is this what we want football to be?'' he asked.

He no doubt was trying to put that into the heads of those who make the rules, but he might also have inadvertently put it into his own defensive players' heads. He tried to get it out of there Monday, saying he had been misinterpreted.

A significant early lead for the Aggies also could cause the Tide to go away from their running attack, featuring two backs averaging more than 75 yards a game. That would place more pressure on quarterback A.J. McCarron, who until called upon to lead the game-winning drive last Saturday against LSU hasn't felt much.

Depending on his defense and running game, McCarron hasn't had to force passes. He has thrown 204, completing almost 67 percent without an interception.

One other thing I should mention. The Aggies have to play mistake-free. They have committed 15 turnovers this season to Alabama's eight. The Aggies have committed 60 penalties for 567 yards to Alabama's 39 for 331 yards.